Tottenham vs Ajax: Harry Redknapp on how Spurs must approach first leg of Champions League semi-final
With star attackers Harry Kane and Heung-min Son unavailable, the former manager says Mauricio Pochettino has a secret weapon to stun the Dutch youngsters
Harry Redknapp has told Tottenham to make their home advantage count and ‘get after’ Ajax in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
Spurs host the Dutch youngsters at their new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday night, in the battle of Europe’s two surprise packages.
The north London side have suffered a blow to their first-leg preparations, with top striker Harry Kane ruled out with injury and in-form forward Heung-min Son suspended.
Without their two main sources of goals, some have suggested a draw would be a good enough result to take to Amsterdam for the second leg next Wednesday.
But former manager Redknapp says Tottenham should feed off the energy of their fans and be on the front foot right from kick off.
“They’re at home in the first leg, so they will want to have a go tonight,” Redknapp told Tuesday’s Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.
“My philosophy would to be get after them early from the first whistle. Right from the off, get after them.
“They’re obviously missing Harry and Son, two big losses, but I’m sure whoever they play will step up to the plate tonight.
“It’s going to be a great game and the crowd will be absolutely flying. These European nights at Tottenham are incredible, the atmosphere will be amazing.”
Kane and Son are a huge miss for Spurs, but Redknapp believes they could have a secret weapon to stun Ajax.
The Dutch outfit have shocked just about everyone to reach the final four, after dumping out Juventus and defending champions Real Madrid en route to the semis.
They also made it out of a group, unbeaten, which featured Bayern Munich and Benfica.
But, having enjoyed success against a host of Europe’s most technically-gifted teams, Redknapp believes Ajax’s youthful side could be taken aback by a more direct approach.
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And, remembering how the Tottenham of yesteryear played with legendary goalscorer Bobby Smith leading the line, the former boss says Fernando Llorente could be the hero again following his winning goal in the quarter-final epic against Manchester City.
Asked about how Pochettino is likely to set his team up, Redknapp added: “He’ll probably play one up top with Llorente, with Dele Alli playing in behind.
“They’re a young side, Ajax, and it’s probably something different to what they’re used to, having a few balls thrown into the box more.
“The days of getting it out wide and crossing it into the far post are over. Now they want to pass it in, everything is passed along the floor.
“There are very few balls thrown in to the box now and very few times you see the goalkeeper being clattered.
“I remember watching Tottenham play back in the 1960s with Bobby Smith against a Polish team, and in the first few minutes Bobby hit the goalkeeper and mangled him up in the back of the net.
“He never came for another cross or moved off his line for the rest of the night. I think the game ended up about 7-0, Spurs absolutely slaughtered them.”